Category: Guatemala 2011

I’m on my way home to Tennessee.  Last night we were at the grocery store and we ran into Ana, the Principal of the La Toma School. She had her family with her so we met children and grandchildren. It was so good! It is that feeling that you have when you live in a community and you run into your friends as you go about your day. We were all excited.  What a blessing…unexpected…pure gift.  I call this God’s grace – just showing up and making life more beautiful than we deserve or can even imagine.  I have friends in this land.

The experience preaching at Manuel’s church was a good one.  They have a strong church. I wasn’t sure what it would be like to preach in English while Chester translated but it all worked just fine. He is used to it, of course, and I was much more comfortable than I expected to be.  The message began with Revelation 5:1-10 for a vision of who we are as a church of all tribes, nations and languages to serve God on earth.  We looked at John 15:9-17 to remember the primary instruction Jesus gave us before he left earth and then we ended with a reading of I Corinthians 13.  The power of God’s love is able to cross every barrier and we have to brave enough to embrace it.  

When we left Manuel’s I wanted to go back to La Toma. I really didn’t get to say goodbye to Elvia and Daniel’s family and they invited us for lunch again but we were with the teachers and had to decline. So we went to their house.  By this time in the whole adventure, Adolfo had loaned us his car until Monday so we were driving. The road going into the community is awful. It’s like driving in a river with rocks that over which you can’t imagine you would ever drive your car.  Four-wheel drive Jeep – yes; Toyota Camry – no! We were nervous and also unsure of what the kids might do to the car while we were visiting. But our concerns were of no regard. We didn’t get stuck, the kids didn’t storm the car (they would have only done it out of energy and excitement) and we got out before dark.  It’s all good!

 The visit with Daniel & Elvia’s family was awesome.  The father/ husband was home because it was Sunday.  He talked and talked. We were able to thank him for being such a good father and raising the kids so well.  As soon as we got there we received a stool to sit on and a class Pepsi, of course.  Elvia ran to get Daniel, Eduardo and David – all of whom had gone to the river to swim.  In a few minutes here came Elvia and her mom came with a live chicken.  Knowing this was a sign for the chicken to soon become supper, we explained we couldn’t stay for dinner.  So they got a box and string and began to tie the chicken’s feet together so we could take it with us!!!  Chester and I both began to talk like crazy and when he explained I was leaving and we didn’t have a place to cook anyway, they said he could take it home with him to Xela!!  It was so funny.  Chester said, “I don’t know how to kill a chicken and then I don’t know how to cook it!”   We laughed so hard; one of many hilarious things that have happened over the past 2 weeks.

I had a lot of peace as we drove out of La Toma this time.  Peace about leaving and peace about the time to come.  A door has been opened here.  At breakfast this morning I was talking to Adolfo and he said, “a WIDE door has been opened” and all three of us spoke of the future and what God may be doing.  We agreed to pray on it.  Last night Manuel said he would like for us to teach the youth in his community just like we did at La Toma.  So he is praying too.  

There is a need for spiritual nourishment and encouragement in this land.  There is a need for us to recognize the state of life in this culture that has been ravaged by war, corruption, hurricanes, earthquakes and simple despair.  For me, I know God is showing me something I need to see.  It is like what I was shown when I went to Nicaragua in 2004 and again in 2008 – but something is different this time.  Something is pressing, even urgent. Something is rising in a generation of young people that I see and understand.  I know God opens windows and doors in special timing – the timing of the Divine.  I don’t know why or what makes the “timing” perfect – but I’ve watched it happen over and over again so I know it is true.  

 What I see rising in the students at La Toma is the same that I see rising in the students in our church in Franklin, Tennessee.   

I know this is part of why I was called into ministry as a pastor at this time in history.  It will look different than years before.  It will surprise all of us in ways we can’t imagine. But the grace of God is so amazing – it will be easy for all of us to recognize and sing the new song being placed in our hearts.  It will not replace the ancient songs  – it will simply add to the beauty of what God is doing.  In a way it is like the story of creation when God created light and saw that it was good. And then God created the waters and the land and saw that it was good. And then God created the vegetation and fruits…and saw that it was good. 

God is still creating.  And the song I hear gets a little more beautiful every day.  

And they sang a new song, saying:

   “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God
   persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
   You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
   and they will reign on the earth.”

Let it be!

 

 

 

The trip to Quetzaltenango changed many things, again.  When you are trying to learn a culture you have to be willing to be changed over and over again.  Going to the city where Chester, Adolfo and Doris all live was a blessing for me, even though it stirred more in me than I may ever have time to sift through.  I experienced beauty, pain, friends, culture, mountains, pride, laughter, tears and ultimately a flood of God’s grace. 

I was able to see Adolfo’s church as the band was having a late night practice when we arrived. His pastor, Juan Pablo, was there so it was nice to see him again.  It helps to see people more than one introduction. By now I have seen Juan Pablo several times and in different contexts: Jacqueline’s baptism, the visit of he and Mario at  La Toma and now in his own church preparing for weekend worship.

The highlands of Xela are completely different from other parts of the country.

The air is cool. The vegetables grow in abundance and the city is surrounded by mountains.  It is beautiful.  Xela was meant to be a “little France” so the architecture and streets are exquisite.  

When we arrived the students from the local university were making processionals (parade) which involves floats of all types and demonstrations of sarcastic humor toward the government and other leaders.  Chester had told me about this so I was glad to see it for real.

Fresh flowers are available for purchase outside the cathedral so you can take them inside. It is a beautiful expression of love.

We visited Doris in her home and I got to meet all of her family.  We went to Adolfo’s home and sat at his kitchen table for tea and conversation. Adolfo and his wife open their home to so many. Their hearts are full of compassion for others. Visiting these homes was very humbling for me. And my heart began to open in a place I didn’t know was there.  When I started to pray my words became few and tears emerged from that place in my heart. 

The Parque Zarrol el Vaul was one of my favorites and if I lived here this is where I would run on Saturday mornings. Stunning nature with beautiful views of the city. The squirrels and chipmunks were about triple the size of ours in Tennessee.  It was funny to see a big chipmunk!

I met Chester’s father and we had a great visit with him. He also knows a lot of history so l learned even more.  It is great to meet all of these families.  Being on a mission work site with people from a different culture is one thing.  Being with them in their own setting and context – seeing family & friends, the places they go and live life everyday – that is so much more!  I can’t begin to say how thankful I am to have this experience.  It changes things – as it should!

I preach at Manuel’s church  this afternoon (church happens at 3pm here).  I’m nervous about it and also excited to have the opportunity.  I’m so aware of what I don’t know… and how much I have to trust God every day to speak only what I am given to speak – no more, no less.  I hope I hear that message well today because it feels completely vulnerable and risky to stand in front of a faithful people and preach the word of God in a culture where I cannot speak the language or begin to know the depths of their life experience.

Today I am struggling with the reality of things.  Things like countries who have so much violence, poverty and hardship while I have so much.  And things like no health care or limited health care and the impact of a society that has known too much war.  Things like the long hot shower I can have any time I want at home, while others search for clean water.  Things like how self-centered I am when it comes to just using up natural resources as if there is no shortage and it is all for me (the yucky reality). And things like tomorrow when I pack my bags and fly to Tennessee.  What I hold and know is God’s amazing love, God’s amazing grace.  I believe that is a good place for me to hold.  It is what I’ve been given to hold.  Let it be.

“The grace of God is sufficient for power is made perfect in weakness.”   II Corinthians 12:9

Thursday was a very long day and I think I need to be very grateful that Chester sticks with my crazy schedule. He has been a champion on this adventure.  We are on site for 10 hours today and left after dark.  Ricardo is our taxi each day and he laughed at us because we were exhausted on the way home. 

Because of the strike we have had a lot of time with the students and their teachers – in small numbers.  We focused on 4th-6th grades and the teachers and students all came on their own initiative. Today they presented us with an awesome cake (with Pepsi, of course) and we shared many thoughts and much laughter. It was fun and the friendships have truly sprouted leaves this week. 

A poignant part of our day was a home visit with Ezekiel and his family. We met Ezekiel when the team was here last month. He is deaf and does not speak (though I think he will eventually).  Thomas Overstreet made a connection with Ezekiel and following our arrival home, he arranged for a Guatemalan Sign Language book to be sent to the school. That book arrived  a couple of weeks ago and Ezekiel’s teacher uses it to help him.   When we visited on Thursday we learned that Ezekiel was attending sign language school here in Mazatenango but had to stop due to the cost of keeping the older two children in school.  His father works a lot but they have 8 children and are trying to work themselves out of debt. To make a long story short – the school is twice/week and is excellent. When Ezekiel attended there he made much progress in his ability to communicate. 

So this morning we arranged to meet his mother and we all went to Halo together, the school that helps teach those who are deaf. We registered him back in and he can begin attending classes again. He will go twice per week.   The cost is minimal compared to anything we can imagine and I am confident we can keep him in school all year.  Maria Magdalena is a beautiful lady and a caring mother.  We had her son, Brandon, in class with us this week. He made us an incredible speech of gratitude for our teaching.  So very special.  Please pray for it to all work for this family. The father works very hard.  Ezekiel is well able to communicate if he has good tools. 

We spent the late afternoon/early evening teaching the leaders in Felix’s church. They were so gracious and sent warm greetings to our church and friends in Tennessee.  They welcome our return. We had a new baby in the mix so a prayer was given for him and several speeches of gratitude on both of our parts. Felix is a kind and compassionate pastor.

 It was hard to leave the school yard last night. The darkness helped…just made you want to get “home” because night is not so easy.  We packed up our suitcase of supplies which weighs about 47 less pounds now.  Our next big thing is for me to preach on Sunday at Manuel’s church. So I am thankful that tomorrow I can rest my brain and let my heart process a little. We are going to Quetzaltenango where Adolfo and Chester live, and where the VIM offices are located. I hope to see mountains, cathedrals and the moon because it is supposed to be very big there. We will see how it all unfolds. I am full of peace and grateful beyond words.

Everyday there is something to shout about.  I know most of life is ordinary “stuff” – but I cannot help but see that there is SO MUCH extraordinary in spite of it!  Today we worked with the two 5th grade classes. One of these classes we had last week so this was our second session. Oh my goodness! It was so much fun.  This is Christina’s class.. the one I mentioned earlier on the blog. So today we did our process with them:

Read the Scripture (John 15:1-8)

Talk about what it means (they share their thougths FIRST and we clarify and keep drawing it out of them, teaching as we go)

Pray to God about how we want this teaching to be real in our lives.

Express what we learned by saying what we will DO with it! (today this was not art, it was action)

Chester did a lot of the teaching today. We seem to get better as we go and he takes on more of the lesson and adds his stories to it.  It is very good!  Our time discussing this John 15:1-8 passage today with the class was just incredible. Christina helped and we all learned from one another.  This is what just gives me so much joy. God is so faithful when we humble ourselves and listen to what is in the heart of those who seek to the wisdom and love of Christ.  How will they know if no one will teach them? 

The reason I know about the Life Journal practice of daily reading and applying the Scripture to my life is because my Bishop, Dick Wills, taught us about it at the 2006 Tennessee Annual Conference. The reason he knew about it is because Pastor Wayne Cordiero in Hawaii taught him.  The reason I know the Bible is because my mom raised me in the church and every Sunday School teacher I ever had taugth me daily to read and memorize Scripture. When I later needed those verses (in my teenage turmoils) I knew how to find them and use them!  The list goes on and on and on……  I bet you have a list too?

We ran into Manuel today which was an answer to prayer. I gave him pictures from BJ (a member of our team last month) and also the last 5 Life Journals. He invited me to preach on Sunday so we accepted and I will preach for his church. It is about 20 minutes from La Toma.  Manuel’s church is very strong and our Tennessee mission teams have done much work there.

Thursday is a big day so please pray for us.  We will teach the 5th graders and we spend about 1.5 hours with each. Then we teach more people (I’m not clear how many) at Felix’s church and he will bring us a white board to use:)  After this Hanniah has invited us out to dinner so we will end the evening with this sweet fellowship.   Pray for me to know the best things to teach and share. Pray for Chester to have everything he needs to translate for me. Pray for both of us to have energy, good health and complete focus for whatever God gives us to do as the day unfolds. 

I can feel the prayers of so many and it is a great blessing.  I keep telling the students and adults here… God is raising up a generation for something amazing.  it is happening in Franklin, TN and it is happening here.  It will take all of us and we are in it together. It is an honor to serve and to see the reign of God’s love cover the wounds of all.  The gospel of Jesus Christ says that we can do NOTHING without Christ (John 15:5) and it also says ALL THINGS are possible with God!  (Matthew 19:26). I trust God completely.  Let it rise.

I have learned to trust the nudging of the Spirit in my life.  Still, when those nudges are affirmed by others who are in prayer and discernment it is the greatest thing in the world. It reminds me of how big God is, and how powerfully God will move when we are all praying.  Today was a day of much joy.  We were visited at the La Toma School by pastors Mario Chanchavac Alvaerz and Juan Pablo  Ajauel. These two pastors are leaders on the National Exectutive Committee of the Methodist Church in Guatemala. They are in the group that received and accepted my proposal to return for this 2 week period of teaching.  Doris, who is the Coordinator for the Volunteers in Mission (VIM) office of Guatemala brought them with her to view the work of the mission teams and to see the work we are doing in the school.

This was a very moving experience for me to hear Mario share the conversation and discernment his group felt when they read the proposal.  It would seem by all accounts that God was stirring them as God stirred me.  Mario and Juan both spoke of their belief that something has started that has never happened before and is only the beginning of something very big.  They prayed with me and put it all in God’s hands.  Mario expressed the deepest gratitude for my church, Franklin First United Methodist, in sending me back for this special time.  I was so humbled and so grateful. 

When we arrived at the school today the students were working hard on the concrete project so that it can get completed.  This is the way things work. 

We taught two classes while all the others worked. Our students today were 4th grade and one of them, was a repeat from the class we did last month.  It was great to be reunited with them and to see how happy they were to welcome us back.  I think Chester really did most of the teaching today.  It is good how it is evolving.

We had the most wonderful opportunity to meet with Ana, the Principal, and the teaching teams of the school.  The group is 19 in number. We had one hour and were there to offer encouragement and any leadership or team building.  We began with an exercise I often do with new groups to learn about their context and then get them thinking outside the box.

Ultimately we end with placing some priority to their dreams. This also gave us a good idea of what their thoughts are for the future of the school.   While I won’t list it all here, I think it is nice to know that the top three ideas for improving the school are:

1.  Each class having its own classroom (they currently share)

2.  A teacher on site to teach the Bible and how to use it for their lives.

3.  A kindergarden for the little ones AND (a tie on this one) a teacher for physcial education.

We wrapped up this session by giving each teacher a Life Journal and encouraging them to use this as a spiritual practice as a team. They can also use these lessons to teach the children.  We prayed with them and made plans for the remainder of the week.

The hospitality has been so wonderful. Last night we went to church (a prayer service) with Hanniah, who is a teacher at the school. The church is within 5 minutes of the hotel. And then she took us to a local sandwich place and I ate more things I did not know. It was good.  The stomach ache I had two days ago is much better today!  They think I am beginning to grow used to the food.

On the way “home” for the day we went with Doris and the pastors to visit Douglas. He is a 6 year old boy in San Antonio community who recently had eye surgery in Gautemala City. This was arranged by Norris (the man responsible for the TN Missions teams that have beenc coming here for so long) and another pastor were instrumental in raising support and making this come to pass.   We went to Douglas’ home and met his family. It was very nice to meet this young boy as we have heard of his story from many. He has been prayed for and loved by people in Tennessee.  Douglas has eye cancer and this was his second surgery with an expected second prosthesis once healed.  I understand there are hopes of a dog to assist him in the time to come. 

On a note of confession because I am always so adamant about only drinking water (no carbonated beverages for me).  The act of hosptiality here is to offer a pepsi, coke and some flavored soda. I’ve had to sip MANY since I arrived.  They are all in glass bottles. I have learned that the kids can guzzle down a pepsi in nothing flat and they have learned, I think, that if they hang around me when someone hands me a pepsi there is a good chance they’ll get to finish off the bottle. Today it was Daniel, Elvia and Edwardo that helped me out on the heavy drinking:)

One last thing.  I have finally learned how to buy Bibles in Guatemala with ease! A lesson well learned. We accepted a new delivery of 8 cases at the hotel today.  Once these are shared we will have given 326 Bibles to people who can read and write.  This includes the older students (4-6 grades), the teachers and the church leaders.  I am so thankful for the generosity of our church! Having the Bibles was critical for our work.

Everyone is very thankful for the Bibles. God is using the faithfulness of the church to put this resource in the hands of those who hunger for spiritual nourishment.  I am humbled and awed at the great provision.

We are all experiencing the love & friendship with one another that comes so generously when Christ is at the center.  To encounter it is a gift beyond words.  Jesus said it was that simple: “love each other like I love you.”  Let it be.

This day began early when Adolfo and his family picked us up for the ride to Champerico (about 1.5 hours away) for worship.  It is customary for the churches to go to this area for special worship and baptisms. Adolfo’s daughter, Jaqueline, was baptized today. She is 15 and a beautiful young lady.  So we jumped in a van already packed with 14 people, including Adolfo’s pastor, Juan Pablo Ajanel.  

The baptismal service took place in the middle of three pools at this center. It’s acutally a sizeable recreation center with beautiful tiled picnic area, stages, pools and even a few animals for viewing. It is called Espranza – or The Hope. It is often on Sundays that it serves as gathering place for many churches. 

Pastor Juan has served in this church for about 35 years. He also serves as the President of the National Methodist Church, which in our terms would be equal to a Bishop.  He was very kind and invited me to say a message of greeting to the church. It was very humbling to speak on behalf of Franklin First United Methodist Church. Chester was a champion, as usual and translated since my Spanish is still greatly lacking. 

After the service a long picnic ensured during which we were offered much hospitality and great food.  The whole experience is on Guatemala time. This is a celebration day for an important visible and public decision Jacqueline has made in her journey with Christ. Eight people from the church were baptized today.  There is much to celebrate and nothing to rush.  It is an unforgettable day for this family – and I am thankful to be included.  Patience is not always my greatest virtue and today God reminded me that families and memories are built by taking time to honor and celebrate life together.  Even if it’s hot!

Around 3pm we made our way a few minutes down the road to the beach. It is an old port that only serves for recreation now.  So all I can say about this is that these moments were a huge gift for me. My soul needed to see and feel and walk by the ocean. I needed to feel the breeze and take in the beauty. I needed to hear the crashing waves of the Pacific coast and remember how big the world is. I needed to sink my feet into the sand and be thankful for life.  God is so faithful and just takes care of me. 

It’s the end of day and I’ve stopped sweating.  Today was a day for making more memories and learning about a culture that has our fingerprints very lightly laced in places we can’t really know or imagine.  But more so, the people here have left their fingerprints on our souls.  There will come a day when all nations, ages and races will be worshipping together with nothing to keep us apart.  Today I was close enough to smell the incense of such worship.

Saturday was terribly ordinary and good.  Without an agenda and much needed rest, I slept in and then went for a run.  I missed my long run that I normally share with friends.  But it was great to get in a few miles, survive the heat and then let the day unfold.   We risked a little motor taxi and buzzed up and down to the grocery and picking up dinner.  The conversation and learning are a blessing. Just being in the culture is a great help to me.  Jesus preached the kingdom is near, even at hand. Paul preached the living out of faith as believers.  We bring hope and the love we were asked to share (John 15:12).   When you have received such as the love of Christ you have much to share.

This morning we are out early to go with Adolfo and his family for his daughter’s baptism. It will be special day. There is some travel and Adolfo is picking us up soon. I am mindful this morning of the gathering in my church at home.  I will miss the worshipping congregation and am especially thinking of our youth who are bringing the message through word and song. Listen well and listen deep to these young voices.  God is stirring the generations and what they have to say will show us much of what is to come.

Much Joy and Gratefulness this morning.

We have received much hospitality here. Although we keep a small cooler for our food each day, we are not eating most of our sandwiches.  After teaching a class at the school we walked a few steps through the jungle to Celeste’s home where her daughter, Allison, was having a cinco (5) birthday party.  The teachers and the students were all there – it was great to be a part of this celebration!  We gave out more pictures as we keep running into kids and teachers. It is fun. 

For our gift we presented Allison with a small coin purse that Chester brought and 5 hersheys kisses tucked inside that I had on hand.  A little Guatemala, a little American chocolate.  They gave me a swing or two at the piñata!  We left the party with birthday cake, goodie bags and smiles. Yesterday we left Daniel & Elvia’s house with a box full of bananas.  They will ripe next week so I think we will eat bananas every day. We have a lot!

The concrete project at the school is making progress with Felix, his sons and a few locals working each day.  There are 8 sections to pour so maybe a lot will be finished before we leave.

During the birthday party we received another invitation for Monday night to go to church with Hanniah and her husband. I am very thankful for this.  They attend an Evangelical church and this, along with the Catholic church, are the primary religious influences in the community.  I want to “see” what this is like here.   I have learned over time that there are many expressions of faith that we think we know and understand but when we experience those in the context of sharing it with people we know,  it is different that our perceptions.  All that said, I am happy she invited us!~

Today there is time to reflect on what we have seen so far and prepare for the week ahead.  Prayers for insight and exactly the words of hope and truth to share are welcomed. I know, however, that is also as much what people experience (including me!) in all of this that will change  lives for God’s glory. Let it be.

Today was a great day of the unexpected.   The strike has increased in intensity. Apparently protestors blocked some roads yesterday which prevented people from getting to work.  The pressure to participate in the strike (for teachers) increased with the tension of the day.  For us, this ultimately meant the teachers at the school were the true bare bones of strong volunteer work. We spent the first half of the day with a class that we were teaching for the first time.  We began with the dust from which God created us and spent most of the time talking about being “salt of the earth”. 

When language seems to be a barrier there is so much more to see.  If I knew spanish Chester wouldn’t be here. And if Chester wasn’t here these boys would be missing the teaching that comes by what you “see” and experience.  For the girls in the class they “see” and “experience” a female pastor. For the boys, they “see” and “experience” a man of their own culture serving as a translator.  I dare say the two of us are  an unusual encounter!  It was as awkward and as wonderful as any teaching of 12-year-old students!

We received an invitation to Daniel and Elivia’s home for lunch today.  They were so kind and gracious.  The tablecloth came out, the food was great and just being in their home was a great blessing. Daniel convinced us to return to the river where we saw several kids and met some new ones. 

While many were swimming I met Maria on the rocks as she washed her clothes.  We did a lot of communicating for two different languages and made into fast friends.  She is 13.  The community is small and everyone knows everyone. If you walk around with a bit of time to offer, you can run into a lot of people. We stopped by Marvin’s house and gave out lot of pictures today. It was nice.

This afternoon a gigantic rain came down for a very long time. It poured!  We were at Felix’s church, thankfully.  We were supposed to meet with his church leaders at 5pm but the rain delayed everyone’s arrival and they didn’t get there until 6:16pm. Our taxi came at 6:30pm and we all agreed to meet on Monday. We were able to have a bit of discussion even in the short time.  Subject? Their insight on spiritual needs within the church and community.  Much growth in the faith and even their confidence in being Methodist is a major need.

Tomorrow the strike will continue with everyone returning on Monday.  One of the teachers asked us to come teach a special class of students she will gather together in spite of “no school”.  We will teach them tomorrow – it is a great invitation.  And then many of the students are attending a birthday gathering for one of the teacher’s daughters who is turning 5. We got invited – the answer is “yes!” and this will be a great way to share in their lives tomorrow.

Maybe it is important to remember that ministry is all about meeting people wherever they are and being in relationship.  I know there is a generation of youth being raised up for something greater than we can imagine.  The path they have to walk will need enormous focus. They must be inspired to move beyond what they know or can even imagine.  But they will do it! And the adults who live and breathe around them will need to teach and love and show the way.  In every country. In every church. In every community. It will take all of us.